Electric lawn mower



r 1 643,656 Sept 1927' P. s. HASELTON ELECTRIC LAWN MOWER Filed Oct. 1, 1925 2 Sheets-Shet 1 mwazimiig JHIHIII i 643 65 Sept 1927' P. s. HASELTON 6 ELECTRIC LAWN MOWER Filed Oct. 1, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 avwemboz Patented Sept. 27, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAGE S. HASELTON, OF BAYSIDE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T COLDWELL LAWN MOWER COMPANY, OF NEWBURGH, NEW YORK, A. CORPQRA TION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC LAWN MOWER. Application filed October 1, 1925. Serial No. 59,794.

kept from contact with the ground. Furthermore, such conductor cables extending from the double reel in substantially opposite 'directions permit the tensions in the conductors at the reel to be substantially equalized and thus the reel frame is relieved of excessive strain. .4

Further objects of this invention include the provision of simple, durable and inexpensive constructions for the purposes desired," such constructions embodyin a small number of parts and being depenfable and certain in their operation.

The invention consists in the novel features, arrangements I and combinations of parts embodied by way of example in the apparatus hereinafter described, as illustrating a preferred form of the invention, and

This invention relates to motor driven implements such as agricultural machines 1ncluding lawn mowers and more partlcularly machines which may be driven by an electrical motor.

One of the objects of'this invention is to provide a motor driven machine having an improved and novel form of take-up reel arrangement for the electrical conductor to the motor, such reel being mounted independently of the machine. In accordance with this invention, the take-up reel is preferably of a portable type adapted to be deposited. at various convenient locations, for

example, upon the lawn, in case the invention is to be used in connection with a lawn mower. With this arrangement a very long length of wire and a com' aratively large reel may be 'used without mterfering with the operation of the lawn mower or other machlne. The machine may therefore be relatively light in weight and consequently easy to operate even though a long conductor I and heavy reel are used in connection therewith. v

' Another advantage of arrangement 'embodying this invention is that a single standard reel unit may be used alternatively with a variety of. implements such as lawn 3o mowers, garden tractors or "other-machines.

A further object of this'invention is to providefswivel connector means at the machine to which the conductor wire may be quickly attached or detached, and strain- 33 relieving means-also being provided ion-rev lieving the detachable connector of the strain resulting from the tension applied to the conductor by the take-up reel.

A still further aim'of the invention is to provide an arrangement including a portable but stable form of self-winding reel, which may be of a form having two drums, one for a conductor cable extending to the source of current and the other for a conductor cable extending to the machine to be operated. Such a form oi reel may be placed ata location intermediate between the source of current and the machine and serves todivide the conductor, into two shorter por- 59 tions which may be readily controlled by the ahtion of the reel and in most "instances pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanyin drawings Fig. 1 shows a pre erred embodiment of the invention in use with an electric motor driven lawn mower;

2 is an elevational view partly in sectlon illustrating a conductor reel embodied in theinvention; v

Fig. 3 is a perspective front view of a lawn mower fitted with the conductor receiving and supporting means embodying thls invention;

Fig. 4 is enlarged side elevational view of the machine shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the conductor receiving and supporting .means used upon the machine of Figures 3 and 4; and

Fig. 6- is a central sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig. .5.

Referring to drawings in further detail, the arrangement showndn Fig. 1 may comprise a source of electric current at, 10, a conductor 11 extending from such source to a double reel evice .12, the conductor 11 being provided ith any suitable form of detachable connectin device 13 at the source of current., A con uctor 14' extends from the reel 12 to a conductor receiving and en porting means 15 forming a *part of the motor driven implement 16' which in this instance is illustrated asa lawn mower.

the invention may more particularly bev The law mower and associated conductor supsprting means will now be described in fur er'detail. As indicated in Figures 3 and 4, the'mower may comprise frame mem- Current to the motor 20 may be supplied through the conductor 14 extending to the conductor receiving means at 15. From this receiving means connector wires within a cable 28 extend to the motor and to a control switch 29 mounted upon a handle 30 of the lawn mower.

The conductor receiving means 15 may be su ported in an elevated position above the ot er working parts of the machine b means of supporting rods as at 31 which extend down into engagement with the lawn .mower frame. The conductor receiving :3 ular sha means may comprise the member 32 having a suitable flanged portion 33 for receiving the supports 31 and a vertically extending cylindrical portion upon which a conductor supporting arm 34 is rotatably mounted. The supporting arm 34 may be provided with a flared outlet portion 35 from which the conductor 14 may be freely led away in the desired direction substantially without abrasion. As shown in Fig. 5, the flared outlet portion may be slotted as at 36 along its upper side to permit the conductor to be introduced. The slot is preferably of irregas illustrated so that the conductor will be kept from accidently coming out. The vertically extending cylindrical pgrtion of the member 32 at its center may provided with a conventional' form of insulated electric receptacle 37 for-receiving any suitable form of swivel connector plug 38 fixed upon the ends of the conductor cable 14.

In order to relieve the tension in" the cable 14 caused by the take-up reel, 12 and to prevent such tension from wearing or injuring the swivel plug 38, a suitable strain relieving device may be provided at 39. In the form indicated, the strain relieving device merely comprises an upstanding. 0st around 43. As indicated, this ring is of sufiicient width to retain the receptacle 37 and the rotatable arm 34 in their respective positions.-

The conductor take-up reel as illustrated in Fig. 2 will now be described in further detail. Separate drums 44 and 45 respectively are provided for the conductors 14 and 11. These drums are arranged to rotate in horizontal planes and are preferably mounted upon a single vertically extending shaft 46 fixed at lower end to a frame 47. The frame 47 may be formed with a plurality of foot members 48 each provided with suitable means such as ikes 49 for engag ing the lawn or earth an d firmly holding the reel at the desired location. At the upper end of the shaft 46, a handle 50 may be provided by which the reel may be carried and also by which the retaining spikes 49 ma be forced into the ground.

1e drums 44 and. 45 respectively may be provided with winding springs 51 and 52, preferably connected to wind their respective drums in opposite directions in order to substantially balance the forces about the shaft 46. The drums respectively may be rovided with housings 53 and 54 having arge outlet openings 55 and 56 for the conductors 11 and 14 respectively. The inner ends of the conductors ma plugs 57 and 58 so that in case the conductor ecomes fully unwound from the drums, the end of the conductorwill be automatically released and current to the lawn mower or other machine will be immediately cut off.

In order to conduct current from the conductor 11 upon the drum 44 to the conductor 14 upon the drum 45, contact rings 59 and 60 may be provided on the drum 44 and engaging contact rings 61 and 62 mounted upon the adjacent face of the drum 45.

A s rin member 63 encircling the shaft 46 an acting between the handle 50 and the upper drum housin' 54 serves to press the drum 45 downwa ly so that its contacts 61 and 62 firmly engage the contacts 59 and 60 at all times. Suitable connector wires ma be sup lied between the contact rings an the quick-detachable plugs 57 and 58 as will readily be understood.

As indicated the contact rings may be mounted within suitable insulation discs 64 and 65 formin arts of the drums 44 and 45 res ectively. %he disc 65 may be formed with an overhanging flange 66 for guarding the contact rings and for preventing dirt or grass from interfering with the operation thereof. c

vWhile I have described my improvements in great detail and in connection with a preferred form thereof, I do not desire to be limited to such details or form since many changes and modifications may be made and the invention embodiedin 'wldely different be provided respectively with quick-detac able connector 1 machine, an electric motor connected with and adapted to propel the mower mechanism, means for supplyin current to said motor comprising a flexib e conductor having a swivelled connection to 'a part on said I mower mechanism, a strain-relieving means constantly held under tensior-Wby said reel point remote from the mower, said conducmotor com rising a a swivelle rotatable around said swivelled connection, and a self-retracting reel deposited at a fixed position remote from the mower, said .conductor extending directly. from said strainrelieving means to said reel.

2. In combination, lawn mower mechanism, a handle extending upwardly thereirom whereby the operator may steer the machine, an electric motor connected with and adapted to propel the mower mechanism, means for suppl ing current to said motor comprising a xible conductor, a conductor support on the mower mechanism and extending upwardly to a oint above the other working parts thereo a detachable conductor 'connector and swivel means therefor on said support, a combined strain relieving means and conductor guiding arm vrotatably mounted on said support for leading the conductor directly from the mower in any substantially horizontal direction, and a self-retracting reel secured at a point remote from the mower, said conductor extending directly from said conductor support on the mower to said reel and being during the operation of the mower.

3. In combination, an electric motor driven traveling implement, means for supplying current to the motor thereof comprising a-flexible conductor with a swiveled connection at the implement, means on the implement for directing the conductor and supporting the same without sharp bends when directed from the implement in any substantially horizontal direction, and stationary means independent of the im lement for gatherlng up the conductor an main-- taining the same under tension.

4. In combination, lawn mower mecha-.

nism,v a handle extending upwardlytherefrom whereby the operator may steer the machine, an electric motor connected with and adapted to propel the mower mechanism, means for sup lying current to said Eexible conductor with support and swivelled detachable connection at the mpwer and extending directly therefrom to a desired fixed point remote from the mower, and means at said fixed point for constantly holding the conductor under tension during the operation of the mower. v

5. In combination, a traveling agricultural implement or machine, a handle extending upwardly therefrom whereby the operator may steer the machine, an electric motor connected with and adapted to propel the machine, means for supplying current to said motor comprising a flexible conductor with a swivelled detachable connection at the machine, and a self-retracting reel having a swivelled outlet member and being deposited at a position remote'from the machine, said conductor extending directly from said connection at the machine to the reel'and being constantly held under tension by said reel during the operation of the machine.

6. In combination, electric motor driven lawn mower mechanism, means for sup lying current to the motor comprising a exible conductor with a swivelled separable plug and socket connection at the mower, and a self-retracting reel deposited at a position remote from the mower, said conductor extending directly from said connection at the mower to the reel and bein constantly, held under tension by said ree during the operation of-the mower.

7. In combination, electric motor driven lawn mower mechanism, means for supplying current to the motor comprising a .flexible conductor, an elevated conductor support on the mower mechanism, a detachable conductor connector and swivel means therefor on said support, a conductor guiding arm rotatably mounted on said support for leading the-conductor-directly from the mower in any substantially horizontal direction, and a self-retracting reel secured at a tor extending directly from said conductor support on the,mower to said reel and being constantly held under tension by said reel during the operation of the mower.

' 8. In combination, electric motor driven lawn mower mechanism, means for sup lying current to the motor comprising a Sexible conductor, an elevated conductor support on the mower mechanism, a combined strain relieving means and conductor guiding arm rotatably mounted on said support for leading the conductor directly from the mower in any substantially horizontal direction, and a self-retracting reel at a fixed point remote from the mower, said conductor extending directly from said conductor support on the mower to said reel and being constantly held under tension by said reel during the operation of the mower.

9. In combination, lawn mower mechanism, 'a handle extending upwardly therefrom whereby the operator may steer the machine, an electric motor connected with and adapted to propel the mower mechanism, means for supplying current to said motor comprising a flexible conductor, a conductor support on the mower mechanism and extending upwardly to a point above the other working parts thereof, a conductor guldingarm rotatably mounted on said support for leading the conductor directly from the mower in any substantially horlzontal direction, and a self-retracting reel secured at apoint remote from the mower, said conductor extending directly from said conductor support on the mower to said reel and'being' constantly held under tension by said reel during the operation of the mower.

10. In combination, a traveling agricultural implement or machine, allandle extending upwardly therefrom whereby the operator may steer ,the machine, an electric motor connected'with and adapted to propel the machine mechanism, an elevated con- I ductor support on the machine mechanism,

and electrical connections to the motor terminating in a swivelled separable l and socket connection at the upper en 0 said support.

11. In combination, lawn mower mechanism, a handle extending upwardly therefrom whereby the operator may steer the machine, an electric motor connected with and adapted to propel the mower mechanism, a conductor sup rt on the mower mechanism and extending upwardly to a point above the working electrical connections to t e motor, including a control switch on the handle and a terminal comprising a separable plug and socket connection at the upper end of said support.

12. The combination of a lawn mower, an electric motor driving the same and carried thereby, a portable take-up reel independent of the mower, a conductor wound upon said reel, means for fixing the reel on the lawn at any desired point, the free end of said conductor being connected to the mower, and electrical connections connecting the free end of said conductor with the motor to energize the same, and-steering means for themower arranged independently of said conductor.

13. In combination, an electrically driven traveling agricultural implement or machine, means for conducting current thereto comprisinga flexible conductor detachably connected thereto, a portable spring reel for holding the conductor constantly, under tension during the operation of the implement, and means on sa1d reel with which to securely spike the same to the earth at any desired point remote from the implement and notwithstanding such tension on the conductor.

arts thereof, and,

14. In combination, an electrically driven lawn mower, means for conducting current thereto comprising a flexible conductor detachably connected thereto by a separable plug and socket connection, and a portable self-retracting reel to be deposited at a point remote from the mower for holding the conductor constantl under tension during the operation of t e mower, saidreel having its drum rotatable in a horizontal plane whereby the conductor may be freely led away therefrom in various directions.

15. In combination, an electrically driven traveling agricultural implement, means for conducting current thereto comprising a flexible conductor detachably connected thereto, -and a portable self-retracting double reel having two cable drums, one

providing for the conductor attached to the implement and the other providing for con-' ductor cable extending to a stationary source of electric current, said drums bein mounted upon a single vertical shaft an being rotatable in horizontal planes whereby the conductor may be freely led away from either' drum in various directions,

means for conducting current from'the conductor on one drum to the conductor on the other, notwithstanding rotation of the tionary source of electric current, and

means on said reel with which to securely but removably spike the same to the lawn at a point remote from the mower.

17. In combination, an electrically drlven lawn mower, means for conducting current thereto comprising a flexible conductor detachably connected thereto and a portable self-retracting double reel having two cable drums, one providing for the conductor attached to the mower and the other providing for conductor tionary source of e ectric current.

18. In combination, an electrically driven traveling agricultural implement, means for conducting current thereto comprising a flexible conductor detachabl connected thereto and a I portable se fv-retracting double reel having two cable drums, one

providing for the conductor attached to the implement and the other providing for conductor cable extending to a stationary source of electric current, said i mounted upon a single vertical shaft-an ble extending to a sta-' being rotatable in horizontal planes where.- by the conductor may be freely led away from either drum in various directions.

19. In combination, an electrically driven lawn mower, means for conducting current thereto comprising a flexible conductor detachably connected thereto and a portable self-retracting double reel having two cable drums, one providing for the conductor atm tached to the mower and the other providing for conductor cable extending to a 'stationary source of electric current, said drums being mounted upon a single vertical shaft and being rotatable in horizontal planes whereby the conductor may be freely led away from either drum in various directions, means for conducting current from the conductor on one drum to the conductor on the other, notwithstanding rotation of the drums.

20. In combination, an electrically driven lawn mower, means for conducting current thereto comprising a flexible conductor detachably connected thereto, and a portable self-retracting double reel having two spring operated drums, one providing for the conductor attached to the mower and the other providing for conductor cable extending to a stationary source of electric current the sprin operated drums serving to hold the con uctors constantly under tension during the operation of the mower, the conductor to the mower extending in a general direction opposite to the conductor to the source of current and thereby substantially equalizing the tension thereof at the reel. I

21. In combination, an electric motor driven traveling implement, means for sup-J plying current to the motor thereof com; 40 prising a flexible conductor detachably fixed to the implement and extending directly to a portable self-retracting spring reel, the reel being provided with means for directly engaging the earth to temporarily aflix and retain the same at any convenient point notwithstanding variable spring tension on the conductor.

22. In combination, and electric motor driven traveling implement, means for supplying current to the motor thereof com.-- prising a flexible conductor detachably fixed to the implement and extending directly to a portable self-retracting spring reel, the reel being provided with means for directly engaging the earth to temporarily aflix and retain the same atanyconvenient point notwithstanding variable spsring tension on the conductor, said reel a 0 having its drum rotatable "in a horizontal plane whereby 'the conductor may be freely led away therefrom in various horizontal directions.

In testimony'whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

PAGE S. HASELTON. 

